Journal for Research Scholars and Professionals of English Language Teaching

ISSN: 2456-8104 http://www.jrspelt.com Issue 1, Vol. 1, 2017

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Employing Technology in Teaching English Language to the Visually Impaired Students

Rajendra Singh Chouhan, Lecturer, I P S Academy Indore, M.P. (rajendrasinghchouhan75@yahoo.com)

Megha Singh Tomar, Research Scholar (meghasinghtomar@yahoo.co.in)
Faroze Ahmad Chopan, Research Scholar (farozechopan@gmail.com)
Nobert Solomon, Research Scholar (demulient@yahoo.co.in)

Abstract:

Human body is complex machinery which is still a mystery to the humans and thus rejuvenates 1
its profound study. The sensory organs play a pivotal role in the appropriate functioning of the
humans. Eyes are the most important of the sensory organs. If the vision is affected it intensely
disturbs the day-to-day life. Education becomes a challenge, especially when one has to learn a
foreign language. English came to India with the advent of British and since then it thrived as the
second most used language in the country. The loss of education due to visual impairment can be
coped up by resorting to technology. Learning English has become easy and interesting due to
the modern computer aided teaching. The new innovative techniques aid the students particularly
the special students to learn language with finesse. The constant use of techniques would provide
an equal footing to all the learners despite of their inevitable frailties.

Keywords: visually impaired, techniques, bilingual learners, basic program

Human body is an inexplicable, astounding and phenomenal composition modeled by the

Supreme creator. As in the words of Scott "The human body is the best work of art"
(http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/body). The genesis of life on earth is a primal
contingency. The fundamental tendency of human psyche is that it is magnetized towards the
disinterring of the mysteries of the mortal world. Colossal changes from primordial era to this
contemporary period are witnessed in every domain. Science has made an enormous progress
especially in the study of human physiology.

It is righteously remarked by Evelyn Glennie "The human body and mind are the tremendous
forces that are continually amazing the scientists & society. Therefore, we have no choice but to
keep an open mind as to what the human being can achieve"
(http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/human_body.html). The human body is a
bewildering miracle and an incessant topic of research. The sensory system comprises of sight,
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Employing Technology in Teaching English Language to the Visually Impaired Students
Rajendra Singh Chouhan
 Journal for Research Scholars and Professionals of English Language Teaching
ISSN: 2456-8104 http://www.jrspelt.com Issue 1, Vol. 1, 2017
______________________________________________________________________________
hearing, smell, taste and touch. These constituents if become non-existent it would lead an
individual in a vegetable state.

Eighty percent of the sensations are imbibed by the eyes. "The face is the picture of the mind
with the eyes as its interpreter" (Cicero, http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/eyes? page=2).
Eyes enable individuals to see and identify array of objects enveloping them. The sensory organs
are like the input devices of a computer. The eyes perceive and send an input to the brain. The
sensed information is processed in the cerebrum and the output is received as a reaction. 2

When this sensory organ's task is hampered in any manner the predicament which arises is
known as visual impairment. Dr. Mandal explains "Visual impairment is defined as the limitation
of actions and functions of the visual system" (http://www.news-medical.net/health/Types-of-
visual-impairment.aspx). It is a situation which may appear in either of the following forms mild,
moderate, severe, profound, near-total and total visual impairment. Apart from the first two, rest
of them create a problem. When vision is impaired adversities crop up due to which the daily life
suffers.

These hardships increase in the matters of education. In order to receive edification of any
branch the knowledge of Language is an obligation. In the contemporary scenario English
Language has emerged as a global language. This language is often treated as a foreign language.
English arrived in India with the advent of British and since then it thrived as the second most
used language in the country.

In India almost all curriculums except the particular language courses are imparted in English
and Hindi mediums. Majority of the students choose English as their mode of learning, it is
difficult to impart its lessons to bilingual learners. It becomes even more convoluted to impart it
to students with special abilities predominantly the ones visually impaired. Routine teaching
methodology will not cater the needs of every student without creating an unintentional
discrimination. In the existing milieu technology has evolved as a boon. Its application
principally in the education sector is revolutionary and brings all students at par. Usually it is
observed that on loss of ability one ripens another talent.

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Employing Technology in Teaching English Language to the Visually Impaired Students
Rajendra Singh Chouhan
 Journal for Research Scholars and Professionals of English Language Teaching
ISSN: 2456-8104 http://www.jrspelt.com Issue 1, Vol. 1, 2017
______________________________________________________________________________
Now-a-days youth are engrossed in usage of technology even for studying and feel bored with
usual classes. Employing computers is the device which can furnish the needs of all the learners
including the visually impaired. In order to foster an equal treatment and effective learning to the
class a need to introduce a basic program is required. The basic scheme which can be developed
is as under:

Formulation of a language lab is mandatory

3
Incorporation of computers specially the ones which would be modeled to assist
the visually impaired students

Apart from the usual computers the ones containing Braille keyboards, voice
recognition software like Dragon Dictate, ViaVoice, Google Voice Search,
Dragon Naturally Speaking software etc and Real Time Text to Braille scanner or
Eye Pal scanners would aid as input devices

Headphones would enable the students the ease of hearing

Braille printers they will be helpful to convert e-text into Braille text

Braille Display enables to read the text on screen in Braille

A prep up lesson for using these techniques for the students as well as the mentors

In order to learn English language one has to work on the oral and written skills

Oral skills can be developed through listening to audio e-books, video clips,
rhymes, tones of various audio contents and utilization of internet for more audios

Enriching the vocabulary by boosting the use of dictionaries would throw light on
new words as well as their meanings

Watching and listening to news and speeches imparted in English language will
inculcate the precise treatment of words

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Employing Technology in Teaching English Language to the Visually Impaired Students
Rajendra Singh Chouhan
 Journal for Research Scholars and Professionals of English Language Teaching
ISSN: 2456-8104 http://www.jrspelt.com Issue 1, Vol. 1, 2017
______________________________________________________________________________
Arrange lectures on grammar because the solid base and key to a language is its
grammar

Grammar practice sittings could be arranged by rapid fire rounds, quizzes, written
and oral screenings

Take the oral discussion on a next level like class reading sessions, extempore etc
can contribute in the refinement of Spoken English
4

After the listening sessions the writing practice can be done with the help of voice
recognition software, in order to enhance clear pronunciation and help in learning
phonetic transcription

Writing skills can be polished by devoting time and effort to the proper framing of
meaningful sentences which can be assessed by grammar and spell checker
softwares

Group activities like word games, essay competitions, speech, reading and
completion of incomplete stories or one liners would shape-up team spirit and
friendship.

Encourage all the students to record these sessions and lectures so they can access
it as per their requisites.

These techniques are much different than the traditional classroom teaching. The students
usually find it boring to attend the usual lectures but this style of teaching would charm the
learners. These techniques will generate computer aided learning and provide an opportunity to
get acquainted with computers too. By this panache of learning a techno-savvy group of learners
will emerge which would be equivalent with the global education system.

This methodology would facilitate to boost up the confidence of the visually impaired students.
As truly articulated by Dean Karnazes "The human body has limitations. The human spirit is
boundless" (http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/human_body.html). The persona of
these special students would blossom as they won't feel excluded from the main stream. They

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Employing Technology in Teaching English Language to the Visually Impaired Students
Rajendra Singh Chouhan
 Journal for Research Scholars and Professionals of English Language Teaching
ISSN: 2456-8104 http://www.jrspelt.com Issue 1, Vol. 1, 2017
______________________________________________________________________________
would spread the redolence of their knowledge with such an impact that they would be
uncategorized as the special students. They would be able to break the myth that "Almost nothing
need to be said when you have eyes" (http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/1342975-ba-ten-
om-kvelden). Even without their vision their eyes would speak eloquently and cogently.

Prior to 18th century the learners with special abilities were deemed as inept in every realm. They
were daunted as abnormal beings. This stereotypic notion is shunned with the dawn of modern
age. Innovative technology has fulfilled the task to assist them and associatively equate them 5
with society. They ascertained their instinctive mental strengths and developed them as their
forte. Due to their enhanced skills they have created a place for themselves in every sphere of
life. The employment of innovative techniques makes them resourceful like others beings. This
would also enable them to embrace and mature their language proficiency.

References:

"Innovations." Materials Technology 22.2 (2007): 110-16. Web.

Hasselbring, Ted S., and Candyce H. Williams Glaser. "Use of Computer Technology to Help
Students with Special Needs." The Future of Children 10.2 (2000): 102. Web.

"List of Speech Recognition Software." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web.

Nomass, Bassma Basheer. "The Impact of Using Technology in Teaching English as a Second
Language." English Language and Literature Studies 3.1 (2013): n. pag. Web.

"What Is A Braille Display And How It Is Used." What Is A Braille Display And How It Is Used.
N.p., n.d. Web.

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Employing Technology in Teaching English Language to the Visually Impaired Students
Rajendra Singh Chouhan